October 14, 2020 

Charleston, WV – Today, Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways  Alliance, released the 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities. The report shows that despite the increased diversity in computer science classrooms across the country over the last decade, disparities still exist as less than half of high schools in the U.S. teach computer science.    

In West Virginia, great strides have been made in advancing computer science in the schools and classrooms, according to Erika Klose, STEM coordinator for Middle and Secondary Learning at the West Virginia Department of Education.  

“This year, we’re celebrating increases in the number of students taking computer science, the implementation of a five-year plan to bring computer science to every West Virginia school, statewide support for computer science education, and a growing number of out–of–school programs for students in computer science,” Klose said. “Additionally, we now celebrate a third successful summer of teacher professional learning in computer science in spite of COVID. We want to thank the teachers, students, school districts, parents, computer science advocates, lawmakers and Gov. Jim Justice who helped make this happen. West Virginia is proud to support computer science education.” 

The report also noted 75% of public high schools in West Virginia have been taught a foundational computer science course in 2019-2020 compared to 46% the previous year. Additionally, 34% of AP computer science exam test-takers were female students in 2019, a jump of 5% from the previous year. Students who take an AP computer science exam—which includes the AP Computer Science A or the AP Computer Science Principles exams—are more likely to take computer science courses in college.    

For more information on West Virginia has accomplished in computer science education this year, visit: 

 To learn more about celebrations for Computer Science Education Week 2020, visit https://wvde.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/22695-Computer-Science-Education-Week-v2.pdf